Nygårdstangen Freight Terminal Earns New BREEAM Certification for Sustainable Operations

12:10 am UTC March 23, 2025 Mar 23, 2025 | by: COWI | Civil engineering

(Photo by: COWI)

Bergen's Nygårdstangen freight terminal has been awarded a new BREEAM certification, this time for the operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure under the BREEAM Infrastructure Term Contracts (BITC) standard.

The Nygårdstangen freight terminal in Bergen has made history as the first in Norway to achieve BREEAM certification according to the BREEAM Infrastructure Term Contracts (BITC) standard. This milestone provides critical insights into measuring environmental practices in future infrastructure projects.

“At Bane NOR, we are committed to contributing to the sustainable development of society, and we are working broadly to move more transportation to rail. Even though rail is a greener transportation alternative, we see that our customers are increasingly demanding documentation of this. This certification documents that the operation and maintenance of our terminal is in line with our sustainability ambitions,” said Ove Algrøy, Regional Freight Terminal Manager at Bane NOR.

COWI was key in supporting Bane NOR and assisting in designing and certification to create a sustainable, future-focused freight terminal in Bergen.

Enhancing Sustainability in Infrastructure Projects

This certification sets an essential precedent for infrastructure owners seeking to improve sustainability throughout the lifecycle of their projects, including design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Additionally, it is possible to certify existing infrastructure, providing a benchmark for evaluating current facilities' environmental compliance and operational performance.

Elisabeth Aaserud, Business Developer at COWI, emphasized the potential of BITC to help large infrastructure owners meet sustainability objectives. She noted: "Since COWI is the first to deliver this certification in the Norwegian market, we are working closely with the certification owners, BRE in the UK, to adapt the Norwegian manual. In Norway, Grønn Bygg Allianse (GBA) manages this standard for BRE, and it gives us completely unique knowledge of this standard.”

The BITC certification requires annual recertification, ensuring ongoing improvements in environmental performance and operational standards at the terminal.

BREEAM: Driving Sustainable Progress

BREEAM certification helps businesses assess environmental impact, energy efficiency, and sustainability. By adopting this internationally recognized framework, companies can make informed decisions that optimize operational and maintenance costs while meeting sustainability targets. BREEAM demonstrates that high-quality, sustainable infrastructure doesn’t necessarily come at a higher price than meeting basic regulatory standards.